CVE-2026-23185

Kernel code execution via uncanceled MLO scan work

Published Feb 14, 2026 · Updated Feb 14, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel iwlwifi MLO driver 6.17 through 6.18.9 allows local users to crash the kernel or execute kernel code. The iwl_mld_move_sta_state_down path leaves mlo_scan_start_wk queued when an interface disconnects, so the delayed worker can access a freed iwl_mld_vif after interface teardown. Reachability requires local control of Wi-Fi interface lifecycle operations and affected Intel iwlwifi MLO hardware; consequences range from a kernel panic to kernel-context code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel iwlwifi MLO driver 6.17 through 6.18.9 allows local users to crash the kernel or execute kernel code. The iwl_mld_move_sta_state_down path leaves mlo_scan_start_wk queued when an interface disconnects, so the delayed worker can access a freed iwl_mld_vif after interface teardown. Reachability requires local control of Wi-Fi interface lifecycle operations and affected Intel iwlwifi MLO hardware; consequences range from a kernel panic to kernel-context code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23185
Published
Feb 14, 2026
Updated
Feb 14, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-772, CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 14, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=6.17
  2. Affected versionversion=9748ad82a9d92b036ff3115207e36e2b9932e354 <5ff641011ab7fb63ea101251087745d9826e8ef5
  3. Affected versionversion=9748ad82a9d92b036ff3115207e36e2b9932e354 <9b9f52f052f4953fecd2190ae2dde3aa76d10962

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=6.17; version=9748ad82a9d92b036ff3115207e36e2b9932e354 <5ff641011ab7fb63ea101251087745d9826e8ef5; version=9748ad82a9d92b036ff3115207e36e2b9932e354 <9b9f52f052f4953fecd2190ae2dde3aa76d10962

Published CVSS scores

7.8kernel.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.7Red Hat SADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-772Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime
CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo